Korea Observer

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin K-pop groups f(x) and EXO were honored at the 20th Republic of Korea Entertainment Arts Awards held at the Seongnam Arts Center Opera House. The two bagged the Best Group awards. F(x)’s Krystal accepted the award while all EXO members were in attendance. (Clockwise from top left) F(x)’s Krystal, EXO, Jung Won and Boys Republic (Photos by www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Organizers of the 11th Korean Music Awards released the list of nominees for this year and non-mainstream artists dominated the different categories. The Korean Music Awards recognizes talent than popularity or album sales, paving way for independent singers to be acknowledged. (Clockwise from top) SHINee, EXO, f(x) and G-Dragon (Photos from official Facebook pages of SHINee, EXO, f(x) and G-Dragon)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin Several Korean stars have been dragged into dating issues this week including f(x)’s Sulli and rapper Choiza. (Clockwise from top left) Sulli, Yoo Gi An, Soyeon, Oh Jong Hyuk, Kim Woo Bin and Choiza (Photos from www.newsen.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin A member of popular K-pop girl group f(x) spent her birthday and Korean holiday with friends at a beach resort in Sabang, Palawan in the Philippines.

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - K-pop stars attended the 22nd Seoul Music Awards held last night at the SK Olympic Handball Stadium in Seoul. Psy won the daesang, or grand prize, but he was unable to attend the awards ceremony due to his busy schedule. Epik High's Tablo received the award on his behalf. Psy instead sent a video message to thank the organizers for the award, his agency and family. Last year, Super Junior won the daesang. Winners (from left) SHINee, Super Junior, Lee Seung Gi and Big Bang (Photos courtesy of sportsseoul.com)

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin MANILA, Philippines - The nominations for the 10th Korean Music Awards are out and Jay Park, G-Dragon and f(x) have made the list. The Korean Music Awards will recognize musical talent rather than popularity or album sales. Like in previous years, most of the nominees this year are indie singers and only a few mainstream K-pop singers were recognized. (Clockwise from top left) Jay Park, G-Dragon and f(x). (Photos courtesy of www.newsen.com and YG Entertainment)

By JONATHAN M. HICAP MANILA, Philippines - K-pop's Super Junior and f(x) were honored at the 19th Republic of Korea Entertainment Art Awards. The two were chosen as Best Groups. Donghae and Yesung accepted the award on behalf  of Super Junior while Victoria, Krystal and Amber received the award for f(x). (Clockwise from top left) f(x), Super Junior, Juniel and EXO-K (Photos by SMGlobal on Twitter and www.newsen.com)

f ( x)'s music video for their song "Electric Shock" was released today.

Watch the entire MBC K-pop Concert held in Mountainview, California. 

By JONATHAN HICAP  K-pop groups Girls Generation and Super Junior are the top earning artists under SM Entertainment. In a financial disclosure filed with Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service, SM Entertainment revealed that Girls Generation earned 21.73 billion won (P829 million) for the first three quarters of 2011.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines - Drama and K-pop stars came together at the Mnet’s 20’s Choice Awards held July 7 at the pool area of the Sheraton Walkerhill Hotel in Seoul.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP Manila Bulletin  MANILA, Philippines – Three K-pop fans, one from Singapore and two from the Philippines, won in a K-pop sing and dance contest held by Korean TV channel KBS World in Seoul, South Korea to celebrate its eighth anniversary on July 1.